The Ultimate Guide to Packing for a Move

Moving can be a stressful experience, but it doesn't have to be. With the right preparation and packing tips, you can make your move a breeze. To ensure your belongings arrive safely at your new home, it's important to use the correct size boxes and fill them properly. Place the heaviest items at the bottom of the boxes and the lightest items at the top.

Don't leave empty spaces in boxes and avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box. Label each box with the room for which it is intended and a description of its contents. To prevent liquids from damaging valuables during the move, secure openings in oils and sauces with plastic wrap. Remove the top, place the wrap and replace the top.

Wrap the top from the outside with more plastic wrap or use a resealable plastic bag for additional protection. If you are using cardboard, use a garbage bag to line the box. Towels, bed linen and smaller items are an excellent filler for boxes. Use cloths and socks instead of packing peanuts to keep things from moving in boxes, and wrap fragile items in thick towels to provide extra padding.

Organizing your belongings by category is a great way to save time when packing. Follow Marie Kondo's example and organize your belongings by category, not by room (keep in mind that the category part only applies to the organization process, not to unpacking, which is a completely different task). If you haven't booked packaging services, which is best done before carriers arrive, it will take longer to seal and stack open boxes. Having a few essential items handy will make you feel more comfortable and ready to start unpacking everything else.

Instead of trying to figure out how to pack all your woven seagrass baskets, linen buckets and hand suitcases, store things inside them. Having all the packaging materials spread all over the house will waste your time and make it very frustrating when you really need the tape. Depending on their age, each member of the family should be in charge of their suitcase from the suitcase to the day of the move to ensure everything runs smoothly. Before you take them apart and pack them, take some pictures of the back of your electronic devices and of the cable situations, so to speak.

Other large items, such as bed frames, shelves and rabbit boxes, can be disassembled for easier and more compact packaging. If you're overwhelmed by the number of items you have or the labor needed to move, hiring packing and moving services may be your best option. U-Haul offers kits specifically designed to pack computer monitors or televisions and have an eight-point protection system, as well as integrated cushions. Well, the one who packs early has a lot less stress and the satisfaction that procrastination didn't win this time. With these tips in mind, you'll be ready for a smooth move.